INFORMATION ABOUT THE HAIR TRANSPLANT PROCESS

Follicular Unit Grafting
The "corn row" or "doll's hair" look dating back to pre-90's procedures has been replaced with The Cole Clinic's revolutionary follicular unit grafting technique.

In today's process, skin containing the permanently growing hair is harvested from the donor area, and divided into its naturally occurring follicular units containing 1-4 hairs. Smaller follicular units containing 1-2 hairs are used to create a natural hairline in balding frontal areas. Denser follicular units containing 2-4 hairs are used over the rest of the balding scalp to create a combination of naturalness and fullness.

Stereoscopic Microscope Dissection and Backlighting Technique
Another revolutionary improvement has been the incorporation of stereoscopic magnification and backlighting to assist Dr. Cole and his staff in providing high quality follicular unit grafts.

The backlight is an illuminated surface on which grafts are dissected. Magnification and backlighting increase the visibility and precision in creating the follicular unit grafts. The improved visibility reduces the risk of damage to the follicles while they are being prepared.

The Consultation
At the Cole Clinic, you are given a warm reception in a very comfortable, friendly office setting. The personal and professional attention you receive will put you at ease and allow you to ask any questions that you may have.

Initially, the nurse will greet you and assist you in completing the medical and hair loss questionnaire. This will be used by Dr. Cole to determine your health status, degree of hair loss and risk of further balding. This information assists Dr. Cole in the planning of your hair transplant procedure. Dr. Cole will then meet with you for a personal 20-30 minute consultation. This is where Dr. Cole discovers your individual goals, desires, and wishes and combines them with his knowledge, experience and artistic skills to provide you with one of the most state-of-the-art hair transplantation procedures in the world.

Dr. Cole's attention to detail in the planning stages ensures a natural appearing final result. During the consultation he will be able to give you recommendations on the number of grafts, indicate where the hairline should be defined, the number of procedures possible, your hair type and degree of coverage to be expected with each session, and the number of sessions likely required to meet your expectations.

Naturally occurring follicular
units in the scalp

Dissected follicular units used in
the hair transplant process

The Procedure
After the consultation with Dr. Cole, a date for the procedure will be made. You will meet with Dr. Cole to go over the details of the surgery, ask any questions that you might have, and be prepped for the procedure. Be prepared to spend 4-8 hours of your day with us, depending on the size of your session. Dr. Cole will then begin to remove the donor tissue from the back and sides of the scalp once it has been numbed with a local anesthetic. This tissue will be cut into follicular units. The incision in the donor scalp will be sutured, and these sutures will remain from 7-14 days. The recipient area of the scalp will then be numbed and Dr. Cole will create tiny slits in the balding scalp where the prepared grafts are to be inserted.

It is at this time that Dr. Cole’s skill and artistry will become apparent. In the front hairline, the slits will be placed in a planned, but random pattern to make the hairline very natural looking. This insertion process typically lasts 1-3 hours. There is no discomfort during the procedure, except for the discomfort during the numbing process. You may watch a DVD, engage in conversation, or just relax during this time. A dressing will be placed over your scalp, and a toque (knitted cap), or bandana will cover the area for your return home. You will be given medications and asked to return the next day.

The Day Following Surgery
You will come into the office and have your dressing removed, your hair shampooed, as well as receiving instruction on how to care for your transplant during the next several days. Many patients wear an adjustable ball or golf hat for the next several days.

Suture Removal
Between 7 and 14 days after your procedure, you will return to the office and the sutures will be removed.

After Care
24 hours after your surgery, small crusts will form on each graft. These will heal and fall off within 7-14 days. The grafted hairs will then take 3-4 months to start to regrow, and will continue to grow for your lifetime.

The staff will be in touch with you during the following year to check on your progress and answer any questions you may have. You can also call or make an appointment to visit the office at any time.